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In my role as a DM, I traditionally avoided heavy use of chance during my Dungeons & Dragons adventures. I tended was for story direction and what happened in a game to be guided by character actions rather than random chance. However, I opted to change my approach, and I'm incredibly happy with the result.

The Catalyst: Observing an Improvised Tool

A well-known podcast showcases a DM who frequently asks for "fate rolls" from the adventurers. He does this by picking a specific dice and outlining consequences contingent on the number. This is at its core no unlike consulting a pre-generated chart, these are created spontaneously when a course of events has no clear resolution.

I chose to experiment with this method at my own table, primarily because it appeared novel and presented a departure from my normal practice. The outcome were eye-opening, prompting me to think deeply about the often-debated balance between pre-determination and spontaneity in a tabletop session.

An Emotional Session Moment

In a recent session, my party had survived a massive fight. Later, a cleric character wondered if two key NPCs—a sibling duo—had made it. Rather than deciding myself, I asked for a roll. I instructed the player to make a twenty-sided die roll. The possible results were: on a 1-4, both were killed; on a 5-9, a single one succumbed; a high roll, they made it.

The player rolled a 4. This resulted in a deeply moving moment where the characters discovered the bodies of their allies, forever holding hands in their final moments. The cleric conducted last rites, which was particularly powerful due to previous character interactions. In a concluding touch, I decided that the remains were strangely restored, revealing a enchanted item. By chance, the bead's magical effect was exactly what the party required to resolve another major quest obstacle. One just script this type of perfect story beats.

Honing Your Improvisation

This incident made me wonder if randomization and making it up are truly the beating heart of tabletop RPGs. Although you are a prep-heavy DM, your skill to pivot may atrophy. Groups reliably take delight in derailing the most carefully laid plots. Therefore, a skilled DM must be able to think quickly and fabricate content on the fly.

Using on-the-spot randomization is a excellent way to develop these talents without going completely outside your usual style. The trick is to use them for low-stakes situations that have a limited impact on the overarching story. To illustrate, I would not employ it to decide if the central plot figure is a traitor. However, I might use it to figure out if the characters enter a room moments before a key action occurs.

Enhancing Player Agency

This technique also works to keep players engaged and create the impression that the game world is responsive, shaping based on their decisions in real-time. It combats the perception that they are merely pawns in a pre-written story, thereby enhancing the collaborative aspect of roleplaying.

This approach has historically been embedded in the core of D&D. The game's roots were reliant on charts, which made sense for a game focused on dungeon crawling. Even though modern D&D frequently prioritizes story and character, leading many DMs to feel they need exhaustive notes, this isn't always the best approach.

Striking the Healthy Equilibrium

It is perfectly no problem with thorough preparation. However, equally valid no issue with letting go and allowing the rolls to guide minor details in place of you. Control is a significant part of a DM's role. We use it to facilitate play, yet we frequently find it hard to give some up, in situations where doing so might improve the game.

My final recommendation is this: Do not fear of letting go of the reins. Try a little chance for inconsequential outcomes. The result could find that the organic story beat is infinitely more powerful than anything you would have planned in advance.